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Your guide to the events happening at The Met

From exhibition openings, concerts, and performances, to lectures, talks, and workshops, you name it and The Met probably hosts it. If you’ve decided when you’ll visit the museum, make sure to check out these events below and participate in one of them on the day of your visit.

Events that take place at The Metropolitan Museum of Art

MetSpeaks

Listen to talks presented by some of the most respected thinkers on various subjects and current Met fellows who are upcoming voices of authority in their fields. Celebrated artists, curators, and connoisseurs speak about timely issues connected to The Met's exhibitions and permanent collections. This series of lectures, discussions, talks, symposia, films, and forums will leave you richer in mind, and add greater depth to your visit to the museum.

MetCreates

The Met is for everyone! These interactive sessions at The Met truly embody this with a range of programs from Hello, Met! to Storytime at The Met where you and your children can participate together. Let your kids learn about art-making practices, interact with artists, and make their own artwork inspired by The Met collection.

MetStudies

If there is art around, there is learning to be done. The Met transforms into your very own classroom through its learning communities that host career labs, short courses, and much more. Whether you’re a teen looking to delve into art or a post-grad student who wants to make a career out of art and culture, there is something for you here.

MetTours

Let artists and experts take you through the galleries of The Met Fifth Avenue and The Met Cloisters in engaging tours and storytelling sessions. Connect with the art more intimately with curators, conservators, educators, and artists guiding you through The Met’s collections

MetLiveArts

Let these performances complement your artistic journey through the halls of The Met. Watch mesmerizing dance recitals and listen to some of the most celebrated voices of our times in these performances commissioned by The Met’s Department of Live Arts. Previous commissions include programs by Patti Smith, Sting, Bill T. Jones, and Lee Mingwei.

Weekend Member Mornings

Every weekend, The Met hosts something special for its members before public hours. Members can access select exhibitions curated just for you making your Met experience magical.

Events at The Met museum in 2024

1. Asian American and Pacific Islander Arts and Culture

Storytime at The Met

Date: Every Tuesdays and Thursdays from May 2, 2024 – May 30, 2024

Time: 10:15am – 10:45am and 11:15am – 11:45am

Fee: This activity isfree, and museum admission is not required.

Venue: The Met Fifth Avenue

Storytime at The Met is an excellent way for children to engage with art. These picture-book readings are for children aged 18 months to 6 years old accompanied by their families. Here, the kids will be able to connect what they read about with objects in The Met collection. The theme for these story sessions changes every month.

2. Power and Place in Global Contemporary Art, 1970–89

Research Out Loud

Date: May 10, 2024

Time: 10am – 12pm

Fee: This activity isfree.

Venue: The Met Fifth Avenue

This series of talks is presented by current Met fellows. These leading minds will inspire you with their research in art history, visual culture, education, and cultural heritage. The presentations are held in person and can also be watched on Zoom.

3. Hello, Met! (Ages 2–4)

Activity class

Date: Every Thursday from April 4, 2024 – June 6, 2024 (no class April 25 and May 30)

Time: 11am – 12pm

Fee: Members need to pay $570, and non-members are charged $675.

Venue: The Met Fifth Avenue

These activity classes at The Met show children the wonderful world of art at the museum through stories, songs, and art activities. Each class is limited to 10 children between the ages of 2 and 4 years, and one adult must accompany each child. You will need to register in advance for this is a popular activity.

4. Painting Lab (Ages 5–8)

Activity class

Date: Every Thursday from April 4, 2024 – June 6, 2024 (no class April 25 and May 30)

Time: 3:30pm – 5:30pm

Fee: Members must pay $290, and non-members are charged $340.

Venue: The Met Fifth Avenue

If you have children between the ages of 5 and 8 years, drop them off at this fun painting class. Your kids will mix their own paints and learn a variety of techniques used in works of art in The Met collection. The classes are limited to groups of 21 children who have to register in advance.

5. May in the Gardens

Met Expert Talks

Date: Every Friday from May 3, 2024 - May 31, 2024

Time: 3pm - 3:30pm

Fee: This event is complimentary with Museum admission.

Venue: The Met Cloisters

Museum experts walk you through the yearly blooming of The Met Cloisters gardens and introduce you to special topics related to the natural world. Don’t forget to ask questions and pick the minds of some of the most seasoned curators, conservators, scientists, and scholars that will host this session.

6. World Mythology at The Met (Ages 5–8)

Friday Stories and Glories

Date: Every Friday from April 5, 2024 – June 14, 2024 (no class April 26, May 24, and May 31)

Time: 5pm – 7pm

Fee: Members must pay $275, and non-members are charged $330.

Venue: The Met Fifth Avenue

Let your children uncover the world of art through stories, mythology, and folklore from around the globe. Drop them off at this interactive in-gallery program just for kids. Each class is limited to 21 children, so early registration is recommended.

You can find The Met’s complete events calendar here.

Frequently asked questions about The Met's events

Your admission tickets to the museum will be enough to attend some events like the Met Expert Talks. But several events require you to register for them separately along with an event fee.